5. Discussing the Furniture

Nora: We haven’t bought the new furniture for Robert’s room yet.

Harry: No, if he is going to use it as a study as well as a bedroom, he must have a few extra things.

N: I’ve been keeping my eyes open. This afternoon I have seen a lively second-hand writing desk. And I need a lot of cupboards.

H: I didn’t notice a cupboard on the landing.

N: Oh, that needn’t worry us. I don’t need a cupboard on the landing when there is such a nice one in the bathroom.

H: You must have somewhere to put the linen.

N: Yes, but it needn’t be on the landing – the one in the bathroom will do perfectly.

H: It’s a pity there’s no garage.

N: Harry, need we worry about a garage now? After all, we have not got our car yet.

H: No, you’re quite right, Nora. Now, is there anything else we need discuss with you?

N: I don’t think so.

6. Choosing the Furniture

Customer: Will you show me a sitting-room set, if you please?

Shop-assistant: Here is a number of different styles. How do you like this one?

C: I don’t like it at all.

Sh: How do you find the set over there?

C: I prefer this one. How many pieces does it consist of?

Sh: It has a sofa, four arm-chairs and six ordinary chairs.

C: Have you also got a table to go with the set?

Sh: Yes, indeed, here is one in exactly the same style.

C: Now let me see some dining-room furniture. At first an extension table. What wood is this one made of?

Sh: It is of black walnut.

C: Let me see another one.

Sh: Does this one suit you any better?

C: I like it much better, have you chairs and a sideboard to go with it?

Sh: Certainly.

C: Let me see the sideboard.

Sh: I advise you to take this one. It is an exact match.

C: I don’t see any bedroom furniture here.

Sh: Let us look at this one.

C: I like it very much. Do you also sell bedding?

Sh: You will find everything of the kind upstairs: mattresses, pillows and so on.

7. Inviting to a Housewarming Party

• Have you already moved into the new flat?

• Oh, yes, we have, and we expect you to come to our house warming party next Sunday.

• Thank you, I’ll be very glad. Is it a two-room flat?

• Yes, a very nice one, with all modern conveniences.

• Is it in a multi-storeyed house?

• It’s a four-storeyed dwelling house, a pre-fabricated one, five minutes from the tube.

• Weren’t you sorry to leave your old home?

• Awfully sorry. The neighbours were old fellow-workers and I miss them badly. But you can’t compare the new flat with the old one. You’ll see when you come.

8. Enquiring about the Flat

• Hello, is that Oxford Street 40414?

• Yes, it is.

• I’m enquiring about the flat which was advertised in the local paper.

• Oh, yes?

• Wonder if you could tell me the rent a month, please?

• It’s a hundred and twelve pounds.

• I see. Is it fairly near the city centre?

• Yes, it’s only about a kilometer away.

• I see. Is it quite handy for the shops?

• Yes, within a minute or two on foot.

• Good, what about a garden?

• Well, you’ll have the use of the garden.

• I see. And central heating is there?

• Certainly, gas, central heating.

• How many rooms are there, please?

• There is a large bed-sitting room, a kitchen, a bathroom and a small hall.

• Nice. Which floor is it on?

• The first floor.

• Oh, good. Would it be possible for me to visit it tomorrow, say about 5 o’clock?

• Agreed.

• That’s fine. Could you give me your name, please?

• Mary Jones. And the address is 41 North Parade.

• 41 North Parade. Fine! Thanks ever so much. See you tomorrow at 5 o’clock then.

• Yes. Good-bye.

• Good-bye.